A wave of new research warns that children who report “addictive” behaviour patterns with their online activities—including social media, mobile phones, and video games—face significantly greater risks for mental health problems than peers who engage less compulsively. A landmark 2025 study, previously highlighted in the Financial Times, demonstrates that the danger is not simply about the total hours spent online, but rather how compulsive or addictive a young person’s engagement has become, dramatically altering the conversation around digital wellbeing and youth mental health.
The concern is a pressing one for Thai parents, educators, and policy-makers. Thailand’s own digital transformation has seen children and teenagers become prolific online users, with the National Statistical Office reporting average daily smartphone usage by Thai youths far above global averages, particularly since the pandemic accelerated digital schooling and socialisation. For a nation simultaneously facing rising rates of youth mental health crises—from anxiety and depression to alarming reports of self-harm—the international findings serve as an urgent wakeup call.
The pivotal study, led by researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University, and the University of California, Berkeley, and published 18 June 2025 in JAMA, tracked thousands of preteens over multiple years to explore the impact of their digital habits. Rather than measuring just total screen time, researchers analysed “addictive patterns”—compulsive urges to use, difficulty stopping, and neglecting other life domains (like homework, chores, or face-to-face relationships) in favour of online activities. Youngsters with high and increasing levels of these addictive online behaviours were at least 1.5 times more likely to report mental health problems, according to Financial Times’ summary of the findings (ft.com). Disturbingly, these youths were also two to three times more likely to experience thoughts of suicide or intent to harm themselves, compared to peers with low addictive use (nytimes.com; Medical Xpress).
What sets this research apart—and should concern Thai caregivers—is that the risk is not merely associated with overall screen time, a metric often tracked by anxious parents, but specifically with compulsive, “can’t-stop” use. As noted by a Columbia University psychiatry specialist in the New York Times, “interventions should focus on the child’s addictive behaviour, which is typically treated with cognitive behavioural psychotherapy, rather than simply limiting access to screens.”
The dilemma is not new to Thai families. Before the pandemic, “Internet addiction” already featured in public discourse. Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and leading psychiatric associations have, for years, promoted campaigns warning of “overuse” among school-age children. However, the definition of problematic use has remained contested, complicated by evolving technologies and culture. While international diagnostic manuals, like the World Health Organization’s ICD-11, now recognise “gaming disorder” as a psychiatric condition, broader Internet addiction or social media addiction are not yet official disorders (Wikipedia), adding to confusion for health professionals and parents alike.
Nevertheless, studies consistently reveal that the most severe outcomes are tied not to raw usage but behavioural changes—loss of sleep, dropping academic performance, withdrawal from family involvement, and in severe cases, spirals of depressive thinking. A 2023 survey by Thailand’s Department of Mental Health found that more than one in five high school students showed signs of moderate to severe “problematic internet use,” echoing international concerns highlighted by recent research (EurekAlert).
Internationally, a new consensus is forming: effectively addressing online addiction in the young requires nuance. The recently published meta-analyses of over 292,000 children across 117 studies, summarised by the American Psychological Association, found that emotional and behavioural problems and screen addiction form a vicious circle. Anxious, lonely, or depressed children may gravitate towards compulsive online use; in turn, this pattern worsens their problems, fueling further isolation (APA). This spiral presents a formidable challenge for Thailand, where youth culture and education are increasingly entwined with digital platforms.
The Thai context adds unique cultural elements to the debate. Thai youths are among the world’s heaviest users of social media, especially Facebook, LINE, and TikTok. Unlike many Western nations, where after-school activities or in-person playgroups are widespread, many Thai families (particularly in urban settings) turn to mobile devices for entertainment, learning, or even childcare. This has led to both opportunities for digital literacy and stark new risks.
A key voice from Thailand’s Child Mental Health Institute observed (in a prior Bangkok Post interview), “We see rising numbers of youth reporting sleep disorders, anxiety, or falling grades due to late-night gaming or social media use. The challenge is not just to limit screens, but to understand what children are seeking in these virtual spaces—validation, escape, or connection—and to support healthier alternatives.” [Bangkok Post]
Society’s response, in Thailand and beyond, has often focused on blanket restrictions—screen time limitations, device bans in schools, or outright bans on gaming during certain hours (as seen in some Asian countries). Yet the international expert consensus emerging from the 2025 research favours a more tailored approach. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) adapted for Internet-use disorder is gaining ground, with several Thai psychiatric centres testing group-based CBT programmes for adolescents showing early promise. Strategies include teaching children to identify triggers leading to compulsive online use, developing alternative coping skills, and involving families in building consistent, supportive routines.
Meanwhile, the systemic roots cannot be ignored. The COVID-19 pandemic irrevocably shifted how Thai children engage with screens—not simply for leisure but as a necessity for education and socialising. As digital learning remains part of the curriculum, educators face complex questions: how to foster digital skills without drifting into risky patterns? A recent pilot among Bangkok secondary schools used positive reinforcement—rewarding offline participation and social interaction alongside digital literacy lessons—to good effect, though comprehensive data is still pending.
Scholars caution that the scientific understanding of online addiction is evolving. There remain debates among psychiatrists and educators: is “Internet addiction disorder” a standalone condition or a symptom of deeper, pre-existing issues? Moreover, different children may face different risks—those with pre-existing mood or attention disorders appear most vulnerable to developing compulsive screen habits (Wikipedia).
As the research base grows, future trends are likely to emphasise intervention at multiple levels—individual, family, community, and policy. Artificial intelligence and real-time monitoring tools offer the promise of early detection of problematic behaviour. However, privacy concerns and resource limitations will require careful navigation in Thailand’s context, where public trust in surveillance tools is lower than in some neighbouring countries.
For practical action, Thai parents and educators can draw several lessons from the latest evidence:
- Focus on conversations about how, why, and when devices are being used, rather than simply monitoring hours.
- Promote open dialogue, encouraging children to reflect on their feelings before and after online sessions.
- Watch for warning signs: changes in sleep patterns, declining academic performance, withdrawal from family, or expressions of distress about online interactions.
- Seek professional mental health advice promptly if children display signs of Internet addiction or worsening mood.
- Emphasise offline social and physical activities that help children develop a balanced lifestyle.
- Advocate for schools and community institutions to offer digital literacy alongside emotional resilience programmes.
Ultimately, as Thailand navigates rapid digital transformation, society must shift from seeing technology as purely a risk or a boon. The message from 2025’s global research is clear: it’s the pattern, not just the number, of online hours that matters. By deepening understanding of addictive online behaviours, and offering tailored support to those at greatest risk, Thailand can help ensure that its digital generation grows up healthy, resilient, and connected both online and offline.
Sources: Financial Times, New York Times, Medical Xpress, EurekAlert, American Psychological Association, Wikipedia, Bangkok Post